Page 2 | Lockdown cycling with friends. AIBU?

Georgeandthemadcatsmummy · 2020-11-06T14:24:59+00:00

I'm almost ashamed to write this because I believe so strongly that I'm right but here goes... My partner is planning to cycle 50 or so miles tomorrow in his regular cycling group of 4-5 men. This usually takes 3 or so hours and involves a coffee and a chat half way around, but I'm not sure if they're planning to forgo that bit or not. Coffee places still seem to be open for takeaway around me. I've told him I think it's against the rules of lockdown and he shouldn't do it, but not only that, it's incredibly short sighted as there are many people suffering whilst sticking wholeheartedly to the rules. I believe he's justifying on the basis it's exercise, which I've told him if it's that he can go out on his own, and that he believes he can social distance so it's ok. Am I being unreasonable or is he??

LioneIRichTea · 06/11/2020 15:13

Cyclists thinking the law doesn’t apply to them, that’s new

slidingdrawers · 06/11/2020 15:13

YANBU. DH also bikes. He is meeting and riding with one other while we are in lockdown rather than the usual 5-6.

DappledOliveGroves · 06/11/2020 15:19

But what difference does it make? He could go with one other person, they could cycle a route where three other separate, unknown couples are cycling behind them, in a group of 8 in total, which in theory would be legal, but the fact they know each other makes it illegal? It's utterly illogical.

He'll be outside, cycling at a distance from the others by default - are you really going to report him and tell him they're breaking the RULES?

CleverCatty · 06/11/2020 15:23

@DappledOliveGroves

But what difference does it make? He could go with one other person, they could cycle a route where three other separate, unknown couples are cycling behind them, in a group of 8 in total, which in theory would be legal, but the fact they know each other makes it illegal? It's utterly illogical.

He'll be outside, cycling at a distance from the others by default - are you really going to report him and tell him they're breaking the RULES?

Depends if they stop off to have a drink etc, if something happens e.g. accident etc and they have to come off bikes. Who's to know that one or two cyclists will say, oh it's ok it's only me - I'm only with DW and kids at home no one else.

really is more sensible for them just to be meeting one other person.

movingonup20 · 06/11/2020 15:27

The police have made it clear that they are going to be fining and mentioned cyclists

JacobReesMogadishu · 06/11/2020 15:31

@DappledOliveGroves

But what difference does it make? He could go with one other person, they could cycle a route where three other separate, unknown couples are cycling behind them, in a group of 8 in total, which in theory would be legal, but the fact they know each other makes it illegal? It's utterly illogical.

He'll be outside, cycling at a distance from the others by default - are you really going to report him and tell him they're breaking the RULES?

He wouldn't stop for coffee with people he doesn't know mid ride though would he?

Plus cyclists do ride close together/bunched up when they know each other, you don't normally do that with someone you don't know. In normal times I'm certainly closer than 2m from friends when out cycling.

Plus it's unlikely with strangers you'd all be doing the exact same 50 mile route so any near contact would be shorter as someone turns off/goes a different way.

So there is a logic to it.

Coffeeandcocopops · 06/11/2020 15:34

Regarding the Govt guidance why do t they just delete the paragraphs that are not applicable now. That link is so confusing. It says you can meet with a personal trainer in a park on a 1:1 basis. Is that true?

dontdisturbmenow · 06/11/2020 15:40

Group cyclists will just cycle with one other by their side with the other groups of 2 a few yards behind. Not breaking the rules.

Why are you so incensed by this? The chances of catching Covid whilst riding outside are extremely low!

Wintereconomyplan · 06/11/2020 15:50

It says you can meet with a personal trainer in a park on a 1:1 basis. Is that true?

You can meet with one other person to exercise so I would have thought that true?

Newkitchen123 · 06/11/2020 16:07

You can exercise with one other person
Not two
One
It's really very clear
It doesn't matter if he thinks they'll be distancing. It matters what the rule is

Chloemol · 06/11/2020 16:07

He is wrong. This is on the British cycling club website

Under the new restrictions cycling and being active is still strongly encouraged, but there are a number of rules which we must all follow:

Only ride alone, with those in your household/support bubble, or with one person from another household. If you are riding with a person from another household, you must only ever ride as a pair. For example, two riders from the same household cannot ride in a group of three with a person from another household, unless all are part of the same support bubble.
Stay two metres apart from anybody not from your household/support bubble.
If you are experiencing any coronavirus symptoms, are self-isolating, are sharing a household /support bubble with somebody with symptoms, or have been told to self-isolate after being contacted by NHS Test and Trace, you should stay at home.
There are no restrictions on how far or how often you can ride, however we recommend that you stay within your ability level and prepare accordingly, especially if you are riding alone.
For essential journeys, the Government is encouraging people to cycle or walk where possible.

nosswith · 06/11/2020 16:07

Much as I object to the law re open air exercise in the current restrictions, it should be only with one other person. In England at least, not sure about Wales, Scotland or Northern Ireland.

Original poster

Georgeandthemadcatsmummy · 06/11/2020 16:16

@dontdisturbmenow

Group cyclists will just cycle with one other by their side with the other groups of 2 a few yards behind. Not breaking the rules.

Why are you so incensed by this? The chances of catching Covid whilst riding outside are extremely low!

Because there are many things that I'd like to do that I'd also consider low risk but I'm not legally allowed to. I think it is incredibly unfair to go against the law when we're in a bloody pandemic and people are losing people they love. I don't think sticking to the rules is some kind of sacrifice.

OP posts:

PamDemic · 06/11/2020 16:33

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

lampygirl · 06/11/2020 16:40

Only elite level sport can continue, what this classifies varies form sport to sport but it will have already been arranged by the governing bodies as it was the same when the rule of 6 thing came in and 'non-elite' training was limited then too. One of my sports teams is allowed to continue training as usual.

My cycling club has stopped all club organised rides. Me and my DP both cycle and will do road rides together, but I also am going out once a week with one friend off road - not serious MTB or anything, just bridleways and the like, and just the two of us while my DP is at work. We are going together for several reasons mainly safety though, as off road if one of us had an issue we could struggle to get help and its more remote in terms of passers by. Being off road we don't need to keep in a tight bunch like a usual club ride, we are usually 10-15m apart as a minimum as the terrain is more technical then the road and you need to give much more stopping distance.

Your DP needs to pick a single friend to ride with!

friendlycat · 06/11/2020 16:54

Let’s hope they get pulled over and fined. That will clear his mind as to what’s ok and what’s not. Another one of these “special” people whereby the rules and regs don’t apply to him.

MrsAvocet · 06/11/2020 17:04

Absolutely agree with you OP.
I am sure there are elements of the restrictions that many of us disagree with but they are still the law. I would like to be able to cycle with my friends too, and to run my usual kids coaching sessions - not a lot of evidence of risk if run correctly especially as we are in an area which still has low numbers of cases. I also struggle with not being able to let my increasingly withdrawn teenage son go round to spend the evening gaming with a friend that he has been at school with all week and sat on the bus next to. Would that really be such a risk? Probably not. I'm sure lots of people have similar feelings. But we don't get to pick and choose which bits of the law to follow and if we all suited ourselves there would soon be no lockdown to speak of. Cycling with one other person instead of 4 for a few weeks really isn't that difficult is it?

jetadore · 06/11/2020 17:38

I think technically you are right, against the rules, but realistically the risk associated with what he's doing is low.

Jennifer2r · 06/11/2020 17:40

How's his eyesight?

BrokenmySpirit · 07/11/2020 11:47

I agree with you too OP. DH continued meeting his friends for cycling which included stops for coffee, the pub, and drinks in the friend's garage, through the first lockdown, then whilst in tier 3, then now. Those stops are where close contact is going to happen. They think they are invincible (my DH certainly does). Even when I started miscarrying last week DH was instead of caring for me, was with his cycling friends (we were in tier 3).

knittingaddict · 07/11/2020 12:38

My daughter is a keen cyclist. Her organised group has stopped due to lockdown, but she will probably go with one other friend sometimes.

Original poster

Georgeandthemadcatsmummy · 07/11/2020 12:40

@BrokenmySpirit

I agree with you too OP. DH continued meeting his friends for cycling which included stops for coffee, the pub, and drinks in the friend's garage, through the first lockdown, then whilst in tier 3, then now. Those stops are where close contact is going to happen. They think they are invincible (my DH certainly does). Even when I started miscarrying last week DH was instead of caring for me, was with his cycling friends (we were in tier 3).

So sorry to hear this 😔 sending you a big hug!

OP posts:

Newkitchen123 · 07/11/2020 12:44

@jetadore

I think technically you are right, against the rules, but realistically the risk associated with what he's doing is low.

There's no technically about it It's against the rules As a PP said there's lots of things that many would consider low risk. It's irrelevant whether anyone feels it's low risk The rule is one person

cologne4711 · 07/11/2020 12:47

@dontdisturbmenow

Group cyclists will just cycle with one other by their side with the other groups of 2 a few yards behind. Not breaking the rules.

Why are you so incensed by this? The chances of catching Covid whilst riding outside are extremely low!

Because my running club has complied and cancelled all small group activities. Cyclists are not more immune to covid than runners.

cologne4711 · 07/11/2020 12:48

@BrokenmySpirit

I agree with you too OP. DH continued meeting his friends for cycling which included stops for coffee, the pub, and drinks in the friend's garage, through the first lockdown, then whilst in tier 3, then now. Those stops are where close contact is going to happen. They think they are invincible (my DH certainly does). Even when I started miscarrying last week DH was instead of caring for me, was with his cycling friends (we were in tier 3).

I hope you don't try to have another baby with this man.

Sorry for your loss